Cities and Villages

Major Cities

Solitude is the largest and most cosmopolitan city of the province of Skyrim, and capital of the hold of Haafingar. The Imperial Army is headquartered in the city's imposing Castle Dour, and the Bard's College attracts Nords from across the province who lack the Nordic virtues of martial prowess or good business sense.

Windhelm is the oldest city in Skyrim and the capital of the hold of Eastmarch. It is the center of the Stormcloak rebellion led by the city's jarl, Ulfric Stormcloak, who rules from the ancient Palace of the Kings.

Markarth, capital of The Reach, is an ancient Dwemer city reclaimed by Skyrim's Nords. Recently, it has been plagued by the Forsworn, a tribal cult that worships the creatures known as hagravens and seeks nothing less than the conquest of Skyrim. Markarth is rumored to have been created by Dwarves, many are skeptical of the claim but dwarven automatons can be found in the underground ruins on the west side of town.

"Nestled in the golden shadows of the Fall Forest, whence comes delicious fish and mead."

Riften, capital of The Rift, is a lakeside city infamous for being the home of Skyrim's Thieves' Guild. Although the Thieves' Guild has diminished in influence over the years, it still controls Riften from its hideout in the city's dank Ratways.